What is the Goal of Networking?

Many people misunderstand the goal of networking. The goal is not to turn your network into a higher net worth. It’s not about how to be fake so that others can help get what you want. It’s about making genuine friendships and if that happens to benefit you, then so be it.

In my first business university class, they all talked about how great networking is. They talked about how you need to network in order to help you career and your business life. That’s a completely and utterly incorrect way to think when it comes to networking. It gives a false idea that you should only know people who can help you.

Think about it. If your friends only talked to you because they wanted something from you, would you want to be friends? Would you genuinely want to help them out of your own free will? Absolutely not. You absolutely do not want to be a stepping stone for someone else to step on to get ahead.

It’s not a genuine friendship where you actually want both of you guys to succeed. It’s a superficial relationship. That’s how the other side rightly thinks as well. That’s why the goal of networking is not to make your network your net worth. It’s to raise genuine friendships that you personally enjoy nurturing.

When you actually put this into practice and spend time with people because you like them, you’ll see results. What you gain from them is a secondary benefit. What comes first is do you genuinely like and respect them as a person? If the answer is no, it’s time to network with new friends. It’s not a healthy long term relationship.

What is Networking?

Networking is to interact and socialize with others to develop a relationship. Some people attempt to use that relationship for their own purpose. Other people network without even realizing they are networking. Whatever the goal is, networking is the process to meet others and add them to your circle.

The very first thing you need to know is that networking is wonderful. You can expand your friend circle and meet so many interesting people along the way. It’s a very positive thing. However, it’s what your goal of networking is that determines whether it’s a good or bad thing.

Adding people to your network does not have to be a fake thing. You don’t have to compliment as many people as you possibly can and hope one sticks. The key is to be genuine and not be fake. It’s not easy to sell a story that you yourself don’t believe in. The first person to believe in it has to start with you.

Therefore, if your goal of networking is to get something out of the other person, then it shows. People can pick up on that in a second. Think about the last time that an MLM representative tried to sell you something. You can easily pick up that they contacted you because they wanted something from you.

Not to initiate a genuine relationship. Therefore, if you genuinely want a friendship from the person, then you are on the right path to success. You will build meaningful relationships and friendships. The ones who will stand by you even when you are going through hardship. That’s what gets you there.

Once you master it, a whole new world opens up to you. You can be the person that everyone enjoys knowing and being around.

What is the Goal of Networking?

So now the actual question, what IS the goal of networking? The goal of networking is to create genuine relationships and friendships, even if the contact is a professional contact. There are many incorrect teachers who tell you to turn your network into your net worth. No, absolutely not.

I do not have any desire to turn my friends into a bunch of dollar signs that I can add to my wallet. If they happen to help add to my net worth, then so be it. However, I don’t actively seek them out to be. There are business projects I’m looking to start up with friends. However, I pull my own weight on them as well.

I can’t stress enough that the number one goal of networking is to create genuine friendships and relationships. Don’t look at people as stepping stones to get to your next stage in life. Once you get there, all you’ll do is look at more people as stepping stones as well.

One goal of networking is to give that social share button an extremely good smack!! When you post to your favorite social media is when you can help your friends out as well. Sharing information leads to a very good network. If you don’t want to do it for your friends, please consider doing it for me!

It means a lot to me and I would greatly appreciate it. It gives me morale to give you even better content down the road. So let’s help each other and see a better planet!

In seriousness, now that you know what the long term goal of networking is, it’s now time to know the actual how to get there. What’s great is that it is very simple to network like a pro.

Talk to Others While Expecting Nothing in Return

This is all that you have to do. Talk to others and literally expect nothing in return. That’s how you create and develop meaningful relationships. If they do end up giving you something, that’s cool, but don’t expect them to give you anything. It will come across as demands rather than suggestions.

You have to put yourself in their shoes. A 22 year old quit his $100,000 job to work for Logan Paul. The way he approached Logan Paul was to get Logan Paul to give him a job. Instead of communicating what he can do for Logan Paul. That didn’t go exactly as he planned.

I still admire that he attempted to do something out of the box. He followed my advice to take the chance and there is absolutely nothing wrong with doing that. I will never blame him. The thing that he needs to work on is his communication skills and he will be good to go.

Additionally, do not use the law of reciprocity against them. It’s not that difficult to tell. You know when people on the road pour water on your windshield and help wipe down your windows for you? They are attempting to use the law of reciprocity against you. They expect a “donation” of a couple of dollars here and there.

By the end of it all, you end up feeling worse even if you do or do not donate the couple of dollars. If you donate a couple of dollars, someone influenced you to do something you don’t want to do. If you don’t donate a couple of dollars, you feel bad because someone did something for you when you didn’t do anything for them.

That’s not the right approach to take with people.

Don’t Forget the Goal of Networking

If there’s one single idea that you took from the article today it is to know what the goal of networking is. Create genuine and meaningful friendships that can build over time. Even if you’re trying to increase your business connections. One of my good friends is a master networker.

He always tries to help people. And if the people end up helping him back, then that’s just an icing on the cake. He is one of the most connected people in the city. Not because he knows a bunch of people but because people know him. They remember the last time that he helped them and they are genuinely happy to help out in return.

He’s helped me out so many times as well. However, he expected nothing in return from me. He was just happy to help out. Whenever he needs or wants help later down the road, I am happy to give it to him. It’s a genuine want to help and not a need to help. I don’t see it as an obligation or a chore at all.

When you crack the code to long term networking success, you lead a more fulfilling life. When you have an army who’s willing to stand behind you, that’s something else. It’s much better than going through life alone. Could you go through life alone and still come out ahead? You absolutely can, there’s no question.

However, when you can make your life easier without it costing anything, why wouldn’t you? It’s an unintentional benefit that can bring monumental results into your life. Once you have the right goal of networking in mind, you can conquer the world with your army.

A group of people who are behind your vision and wants to help you succeed in life.